Electrical connector



Nov. 21, 1967 s. H. RODGERS m ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 12, 1965 INVENTOR.

$4My4 A/ 20.06568, E

Nov. 21, 1967 s. H. RODGERS m ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1965 INVENTOR, SAMUEL ,9, PO0G 1 E A TTOe VEYS United States Patent 3,354,421 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Samuel H. Rodgers III, Holiday Drive, P.0. Box 446, Crossville, Tenn. 38555 Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,339 4 Claims. (Cl. 339-198) This invention relates to the general field of connecting devices and, more specifically, the instant invention relates to an electrical connector of the gang type wherein means are provided for connecting a main line with a multiple of outlet branch connectors.

It is, of course, old and well-known in the art to provide secondary or branch circuits wherever the same may prove to be necessary and essential in building construction, but in so doing, and especially in temporary installations, much damage has been occasioned through faulty soldering, sloppy taping, and through the negligent practice of other mechanical techniques in connection with electrical circuits which fail to measure up to the standards required by law and it is, therefore, one of the primary objects of this invention to provide a safe and convenient electrical connector to serve as means for connecting a main line with a plurality of secondary circuits.

It is, among the many primary concepts of this invention, the object of providing an electrical terminal clamp so constructed as to permit the connection thereof with the primary source of electrical potential together with means for serving secondary circuits.

In accordance with another object of this invention it is proposed to provide a terminal clamp for electrical circuits wherein it is unnecessary for any of the main or branch leads to be soldered, bent around binding posts or otherwise fixedly secured to any terminal clamp of the type whereby the location of the same would be unnecessarily limited.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an electrical terminal clamp for connection with primary and secondary electrical circuits without the use of binding screws, soldering or taping while, at the same time, observing compliance with all safety codes of all states.

Among the other and further objects and advantages of this invention it is proposed to provide a terminal clamp for connecting primary and secondary electrical circuits merely through the insertion of bared leads of the wires leading to each of the circuits.

In this connection it is also another object of the invention to provide such a device wherein the electrical lines or leads may be quickly and easily connected and/or disconnected from the clamp.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, the provision of an electrical terminal clamp which is non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture, and which is durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an electrical terminal clamp constructed in accordance with the teachings of one embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional View, FIGURE 2 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 3 being taken substantially on the vertical plane on line 33 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 4 being taken substantially on the horibontal ice plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 6 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 66 of FIGURE 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a compound connector bar employed in the clamp-s of FIGURES 1 to 4, inclusive, and FIGURES 5 and 6;

FIGURE 8 is a detail transverse crosssectional view of a third embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the invention, FIGURE 9 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 9-9 of FIGURE 8, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 10 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 10 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 10-10 of FIGURE 9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective View of the terminal bar illustrated in FIGURES 8 to 10, inclusive;

FIGURE 12 illustrates a fourth modification of this invention in perspective;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 13 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 13-13 of FIGURE 12, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 14 is an exploded perspective view of the modification of the invention shown in FIGURE 12; and

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view, partly in crosssection, and illustrating still another embodiment of this invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, FIG- URES l to 4, inclusive, illustrate an electrical terminal connector or clamp constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. As shown in these figures, the terminal connector or clamp is generally designated by reference numeral 20 and is seen to include an elongated substantially rectangular conductor bar 22 of the compound type (see FIGURE 7) formed of a pair of elongated substantially rectangular sheets 24, 26 of electricallyconductive material such as copper, for example, and it is seen that each of these sheets is crimped transversely at longitudinally-spaced intervals to form transversely-extending substantially rectangular panels 28, 30 and 32, 34, respectively (see FIGURES 3 and 7). The crimping also includes the formation of the outwardly-flaring lips 36, 38 at the upper ends of the panels 28, 30 and similar lips 40, 42 at the upper ends of the panels 32, 34. As is clearly seen in FIGURE 3, the panels 28, 30, 32, 34 are roughened or knurled as is indicated at 44.

The pairs of panels 28, 30 and 32, 34 are disposed at obtuse angles relative to one another and the two sheets 24, 26 are spot welded as at 46, or otherwise fixedly secured together, in side-by-side relationship. The arrangement is such that the panel 28 confronts the panel 34 and the panel 30 confronts the panel 32 to form a substantially rhombic socket 48. Similarly, the pairs of lips 36, 42 and 38, 40 confront one another and converge inwardly to form mouths 50 also having a substantially rhombic configuration.

The bar 22 is molded in a suitable dielectric or electrically non-conductive material in the form of a plastic block 52, or, if desired, two such bars 22 may be molded in a block 54 in the modification of this invention illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6. In this second embodiment, the bars 22 are disposed in laterally-spaced and substantially parallel relationship relative to one another.

In either modification or embodiment, that is, the modi- 3 I fication illustrated in FIGURES 1 m4, inclusive, or in FIGURES 5 and 6, the bars 22 are molded within their respective blocks 52, 54 which include the transverselyextending cylindricalopenings 56 which extend inwardly from one of the sides of the blocks 52, 54, respectively, the inner end of each opening 56 being undercut to form a shoulder 58 against which the lips 36, 38, 40, 42 abut.

As is clearly seen in FIGURE 6, the other or lower ends of each socket 48 rest on shoulders 60 disposed at the upper ends of cylindrical passages 62 with which they are in open communication. The passages 62 are, in turn, in communication with countersunk openings 64 which open into the plane of the other side of the blocks 52, 54, the openings 64 being normally closed by an integrally-formed thin plastic membrane or knock-out 66.

Each of the sockets 48 is adapted to receive and frictionally retain the bared end 68 of a main or branch electrical circuit lead 70 in the manner shown in FIGURE 6.

The connector or clamp illustrated in FIGURES l to 4, inclusive, or FIGURES 5 and 6, will provide a firm clamp or connection for either a main or branch lead and is not subject to disconnection therefrom under vibratory conditions or under force due to the fact that the knurled or roughened inner sides 44 of each socket will maintain a firm grip thereon. Should it prove necessary, under some conditions, to effect a disconnection of any lead 70 from the connector or clamp shown in FIGURE 1 to 6, inclusive, it is only necessary to break or rupture the membrane or knock-out 66, insert an appropriate tool in the passage 62 and to then push against the outer end of the bared end 68 of the main or branch lead to effect disengagement between the lead 70 and the connector 52 or 54.

FIGURES 8 to 11, inclusive, illustrate a third embodiment of this invention wherein the connector is generally designated by reference numeral 100. As before, the connector or clamp 100 includes an elongated substantially rectangular bar 102 (see FIGURE 11) formed of an electrically-conductive material and in which is formed a plurality of integral, longitudinally and vertically-spaced pairs of concave-convex jaws 104, 106 with the convex side thereof protruding to one side of the bar 102. Reference numeral 108 denotes a third concave-convex jaw disposed intermediate each of the pairs of jaws 104, 106 with the convex sides of each jaw 108 protruding from the other side of the bar 102. The concave sides of all jaws 104, 106, 108 are roughened or knurled as at 110, and the upper end of each jaw is formed with an outwardly and upwardly-flaring arcuate flange 112, 114, 116, respectively. Each set of jaws 104, 106, 108 is thus arranged transversely of the bar with the individual jaws protruding alternately in opposite directions, and the. set is bounded on opposite sides by a pair of substantially flat rectangular bar sections or strips 118, 120 which may be, if desired, of the same dimensions.

It is proposed that one or more of the bars 102 be integrally molded in a block 122 formed of a dielectric or of electrically non-conducting material as is illustrated in FIGURES 8 to 10, inclusive, and as shown therein, the

block 122 is provided with transversely-extending openings 124 which project inwardly from one side thereof and which have axes that are common to the natural axes of each set of jaws 104, 106, 108 whereby a bared end 124 of a main or branch lead 126 may be inserted therethrough and firmly clamped between the jaws. As in the previous embodiments of this invention, cylindrical passages 128 extend inwardly from the opposite side of the block 122 with their respective axes being aligned with the natural axes of the jaws 104, 106, 108, the outer ends of the passages 128 being countersunk as at 130 and sealed by the thin membrane or knock-out 132 in order to serve the function above-described.

If desired, the connector or clamp may take the form of the device 200 shown in FIGURES 12 to 14, inclusive, and in this instance, the block of dielectric or electrically non-conductive material is of two identically constructed 4 elongated substantially rectangular main body portions 202, 204. Each main body portion 202, 204 is provided, preferably, adjacent each longitudinally-extending marginal edge, with identical longitudinally-extending slots 206, 208, 210, 212 and hollow substantially elongated rectangular receptacles 214. As is seen. in FIGURE 14,

the slots 210, 212 (as do the slots 206, 208) arein open communication with the opposed ends of the receptacles 214. The slots 206, 208, 210, 212 and receptacles 214 are adapted to receive therein one of the bars 102 described above when the rnain body portions 202, 204 are superimposed over one another, each of the main body portions 202, 204 receiving therein substantially one-half of the bars 102 (see FIGURE 13). Each of the main body portions 202, 204 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally-spaced medially-located cylindrical pockets or passages 216, 218, respectively, to receive therein conventional fastening elements 220, 222 which releasably secure together the main body portions 202, 204. As in all previous embodiments of this invention, provision is made for connecting a main or branch electrical lead with either or both bars 102, the means in this instance comprising the cylindrical openings 224 that extend transversely throughout the main body portion 202 and which are aligned with the clamping paws 104, 106, 108.

In FIGURE 15 a still further embodiment of the connector or clamp is illustrated as constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and, as will be readily recognized, the invention herein illustrated is quite similar to the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 to 6, inclusive. In the modification of PEG- URE 15, the connector clamp is designated, generally, by reference numeral 300 and is seen to include an elongated substantially rectangular block 302 formed of a molded plastic dielectric or electrically nonconductive material in which is embodied the composite bar 304. The bar 304 is constructed of four identical right-angle members 306, 308, 310 312. Each arm of each angle member is interrupted at longitudinally-spaced, intervals by transverselyextending pairs of adjacent panels 314, 316 and 318, 320 disposed at an obtuse angle relative to one another. The angle members are imposed, one on the other, to assume the cruciform structure shown in FIGURE 15, and are spot welded together as at 322 or otherwise fixedly secured, one with the others. In this assembly, the panels 314, 316 and 318, 320 of each angle member are juxtaposed lead-receiving sockets 324 disposed away from one another. Access to each socket 324 is had through the cylindrical openings 326 that extend transversely through each side of the block 302 and which are in open communication with, respectively, each of the sockets 324.

Having described and illustrated in detail several embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the same are offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector or clamp comprising a plurality of elongated right-angle members formed of an electrically-conducting material, the arms of said angle members being connected together to provide a substantially cruciform configuration in cross-section, each arm having transversely-extending longitudinally-spaced pairs of substantially rectangular panels, the panels of each pair having transverse edges which meet in an obtuse angle, said pairs of panels in one arm of one angle member being disposed in opposed end confronting relation relative to the corresponding pairs of panels formed in an adjacent one of said angle members to form a substantially rhombic socket between each two pairs of opposed panels, said cruciform connector being embedded in a block of electrically non-conductive material, and said block having a plurality of transverse passages each communicating at one end with one of said sockets and at the other end with an outer face of the block.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said passages in the opposed side of the block are normally closed by an integrally formed thin plastic membrane capable of being broken and removed when it is desired to insert a pin type connector.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 1 Wherein each of said panels is formed with a lip at one end disposed at an angle to the panel such that an outwardly flared mouth also of rhornbic cross-section is formed on each socket.

'4. An electrical connector according to claim 3 wherein the inner surfaces of said panels beyond said mouth forming lips are roughened to frictionally retain a pin type connector when inserted.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,603,680 10/1926 Gagnon. 1,719,288 7/1929 Danielson 339-1 93 6 De V. Harnett 3339-198X 'Jacobs 339-198 Bonnaire 339-256 X Boardman 339-256 Long 339-198 X Warzecka 339-258 Klassen 339-208 X Hammell 339-256 Miller 339-157 FOREIGN PATENTS France. Great Britain.

15 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

ALFRED s. TRASK, Examiner.

P. TEITELBAUM, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR OR CLAMP COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED RIGHT-ANGLE MEMBERS FORMED OF AND ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTING MATERIAL, THE ARMS OF SAID ANGLE MEMBERS BEING CONNECTED TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIALLY CRUCIFORM CONFIGURATION IN CROSS-SECTION, EACH ARM HAVING TRANSVERSELY-EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY-SPACED PAIRS OF SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR PANELS, THE PANELS OF EACH PAIR HAVING TRANSVERSE EDGES WHICH MEET IN AN OBTUSE ANGLE SAID PAIRS OF PANELS IN ONE ARM OF ONE ANGLE MEMBER BEING DISPOSED IN OPPOSED END CONFRONTING RELATIONS RELATIVE TO THE CORRESPONDING PAIRS OF PANELS FORMED IN AN ADJACENT ONE OF SAID ANGLE MEMBERS TO FORM A SUBSTANTIALLY RHOMBIC SOCKET BETWEEN TWO PAIRS OF OPPOSED PANELS, SAID CRUCIFORM CONNECTORS BEING EMBEDDED IN A BLOCK OF ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, AND SAID BLOCK HAVING A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE PASSAGES EACH COMMUNICATING AT ONE END WITH ONE OF SAID SOCKETS AND AT THE OTHER END WITH AN OUTER FACE OF THE BLOCK. 